Embracing Change

Let me start with a simple question: what was the last adventure you went on?

When was the last time you took a risk, braved something unknown and scared yourself….

Adventure, in its essence, is a journey beyond the norm, a departure from our comfort zones. It conjures up visions of exotic landscapes, brave new worlds and epic voyages. Yet, sometimes it can be closer to home and change can be truly terrifying. It’s all too tempting to shy away and become complacent in our day-to-day lives just because it's easier. Whilst we dream of adventure, sometimes the reality can be somewhat daunting. Safety and the familiar are much less threatening.

But listen to Nelson Mandela, who wisely said "There is no passion to be found playing small—in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living."

?As humans, we have natural inclinations to build our nests—sometimes physically, sometimes intellectually. We create these safe spaces around us that keep us warm, comfortable and safe from danger. Before we know it, we are owned by our belongings and defined by our past rather than by our future and potential. And we limit who we might become.

My own journey

I can speak to this from personal experience. Two years ago I lived with my family in a sleepy village in the UK. We had a lovely life of keeping chickens, working from home during the COVID days, and lounging in hammocks in the garden. It felt like we’d reached a destination and needed to go no further. Circumstances change however, mortgages need to be paid, children to be fed and when my next chapter came, I ended up looking further afield than I expected and took another in a series of plunges that have become somewhat the norm throughout my adult life. It never gets easier, let me tell you.

I’ve always believed that you should never turn down an adventure - because life has a way of working out for the best if you just come along for the ride. You can argue that this is a result of a higher power, or simply your tenacity and ability to surf the waves that come, but regardless, this attitude has taken me all over the world and allowed me to meet some incredible people along the way.

I’m still terrified each time a new chapter presents itself. I have, however, come to trust in the journey. In the months leading up to the move, I had ongoing concerns of leaving our quaint little cottage in the country, to come to the crazy megacity of the future that is Dubai. A city in a different country, a different culture, where we knew no one and had no connections and limited experience. This leap into the unknown came with a lot of misgivings. However, it has made me feel more alive and engaged not only with my own identity but also with what I am capable of. That fear of change is something that I recognise as a necessary step in my development and each time I’ve embraced it, it has led to further growth.

Sometimes these adventures are obvious geographic ones but an adventure can be a mental or a physical journey too. Taking a fresh outlook on familiar ground or deciding to open a door you’ve walked past before in your own life. Another door for me recently besides the emigration, was that of physical health. As someone who has not been healthy for a long time, skirting diabetes and fully committed to obesity as a practised couch potato, I won’t claim it's been an easy journey. Changing ingrained habits, particularly ones which are more difficult than those you are used to, requires commitment and ongoing consistency. The reward in this case however is in no uncertain terms a longer life expectancy in greater health, and simply being able to look confidently in the mirror (and see my toes).?

Whatever it is, I recommend that you commit - make the decision and then take the plunge, both feet in, to see where the decision takes you. One thing is for certain, pushing boundaries physically has given me a new lease on life, not only from the obvious health gains but also from a mental perspective helping me embrace opportunities and take risks. We are capable of great things if we set our minds to it.

But why is it so hard to embrace change? Why do we resist it so fiercely?

The Science Behind Our Fear of Change

Our brains are wired to resist change. The human brain prefers familiar patterns and routines. This preference is deeply rooted in our biology. Change triggers a stress response, releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which prepare us for fight or flight. This reaction can make new experiences seem daunting and uncomfortable, precisely because we aren’t designed to be comfortable in this situation.

According to neuroscientists, this resistance to change is partly due to the brain’s need for efficiency. The brain uses familiar patterns to conserve energy. When we try something new, it requires more cognitive resources, which the brain instinctively avoids.

As we age, these tendencies can become more pronounced. The ageing brain tends to be less flexible and more set in its ways. Neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections, decreases with age. This decline can lead to mental stagnation if we don’t actively seek new experiences.

The Importance of Risk-Taking

Taking risks can counteract these tendencies. When we take risks, our brains release dopamine, the "feel-good" neurotransmitter. This chemical boost enhances our mood, motivation, and engagement. Dopamine also plays a crucial role in learning and reward-based behaviour, making risk-taking essential for growth and innovation.

Consider the words of Helen Keller: "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." From someone who might not be the most obvious example of a risk-taking adventurer, I find this particularly poignant. Without adventure, without risk, we risk stagnation.

Coping Mechanisms for Embracing Change

So, how do we cope with the fear of change and make the most of new adventures? Here’s what works for me :

1. Dive In: Resist the urge to play it safe and don’t start small. Believe in yourself and what you are capable of. We regret the things we didn’t do more than the things we did.
2. Work out your ultimate destination and reason for doing it: Dream big enough to make it worth the effort - and keep that destination in mind. Remind yourself what you are aiming for, but not too often.
3. Seek Support: Cherish the people who encourage and inspire you, and who add to your journey. Some people add more than others but don’t be afraid to limit your exposure to those who just express doubts (but contrary to the common advice - don’t cut them off either! Everyone is on different journeys - you don’t need to just see people on the same one as your breadth of perception is what makes you “you”).?
4. Break the journey down - focus on the next target, not the ultimate goal: Most things seem impossible when you look at them from too far out. Break them down into steps that are achievable and work through them one at a time. Before you know it, you’ll turn around and amaze yourself at how far you’ve come
5. Be kind to yourself: Change is hard, stressful and scary. By taking a step into the unknown you are already challenging yourself more than most people on the planet. Give yourself credit for what you are achieving, and don’t just dwell on the hard things, the times when it doesn’t go exactly to plan.

Change for Change Sake

I do believe that embracing change and seeking adventure is essential for personal growth and fulfilment. It’s about pushing boundaries, taking risks, and constantly evolving so your journey is one that matters - to you. Often other people will express doubt about what you are doing. Some may think you’re mad for leaving what you have already achieved. That’s ok - it's your journey, not theirs.

Another great quote I love is from The Eagle’s Take it Easy - “we may lose and we may win but we will never be here again”. I do believe we need to wring all the joy out of each stage of the journey but importantly to keep on moving. Staying still leads to stagnation, whilst taking risks, and seeking out new frontiers keeps us alive. It will surely lead to times when you will struggle, and times when you will fail but, ultimately, the result is that you will grow and find yourself in a new place, with new capabilities - and new hills in front of you to climb.